In the music industry, talented singers come and go all the time. Listeners like new voices, so this is a given. Even so, there are certain ladies whose voices are simply unforgettable. No matter how much time has passed, we are always mesmerized whenever we listen to the songs that they recorded in the past. We are glad that most of them have received the recognition they deserve. These ladies must be some of the most talented women to have ever lived!
Doris Day
In 1939, Doris Day kicked off her career as a big band singer. However, she only earned mainstream success six years after that. The blonde beauty later left Les Brown & His Band of Renown to launch her solo career. From 1947 to 1967, she recorded over 650 songs. She also made it big as an actress.
Doris Day
Joan Baez
You might be familiar with Joan Baez. Born in 1941, she made her mark on history as a musician, activist, and singer-songwriter. She made a name for herself in the counterculture era of the ‘60s. Even though her music is mostly categorized as folk music, she also dabbled in country, pop, gospel, and rock. Did you know that she was the first person to record the works of Bob Dylan? She became famous on the global stage over the years. The musician was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2017.
Joan Baez
Debbie Harry
Before she struck the jackpot, Debbie Harry of Miami, Florida, worked as a dancer and secretary. In 1974, she formed a band called Blondie. Two years after that, the musical act released its very first album. The band has released a lot of albums through the years and made its mark on history. In 2017, they released an album called “Pollinator.” It reached the fourth spot in the charts of the United Kingdom!
Debbie Harry
Cyndi Lauper
For forty years, Cyndi Lauper made music that made us fall in love with her voice. Her first album is called “She’s So Unusual” and came out in 1983. It made history the first debut album by a female musician to get the top five spots of the Billboard Hot 100. She brought home the Grammy Award for Best New Artist two years after that. She has since raked in many awards and sold more than 50 million records across the globe. It should be illegal for anyone to be this iconic!
Cyndi Lauper
Sarah Vaughan
Over the years, Sarah Vaughan has been called by different names. You might also know her as “Sassy” and “The Divine One.” She gained an interest in music when she was still young because her parents were both musically inclined. Her dad was a guitarist, and her mom sang in a choir. She inherited their musical talents and saw plenty of success in such a competitive field. She has recorded more than 50 albums and bagged four Grammys. We can see why they gave her a Lifetime Achievement Award!
Sarah Vaughan
Sia Furler
Born Sia Furler, most people simply call this Australian singer by her first name. Aside from singing, she is also a talented actor, songwriter, and director. She used to be a part of Crisp with several friends until she moved from to London and then to New York in the hopes of launching a solo career. It was not easy for her initially, but she finally got it right with two major albums. Not only that, but she has also penned hit songs such as “Diamonds” for Rihanna, “Wild Ones” for Flo Rida, and “Titanium” for David Guetta.
Sia Furler
Norah Jones
When she was still young, Norah Jones was already exposed to different types of music. This is part of the reason she has such a unique sound. As a little girl, she learned how to play various instruments like the piano, saxophone, and guitar. In 2002, she got to release a debut album called “Come Away with Me.” It went on to sell more than 27 million albums and fetched her several Grammy Awards. We are not at all surprised to hear this. After all, we doubt that we will ever get tired of this killer album!
Norah Jones
Carole King
There are so many things that we can say about Carole King. Most people know her for her amazing voice and talent at writing captivating songs. You can look at her resume for proof. She has written many songs, and 118 of them have appeared in the Billboard Hot 100. Many of them are among the most recognizable songs of our time. She also released an album called “Tapestry.” It reached the top spot of the U.S. chart and stayed there for two decades. If that is not legendary to you, we do not know what is.
Carole King
Sarah McLachlan
Did you know that Sarah McLachlan hails from Canada? When she was a child, she learned how much she loved music. She took up guitar, singing, and classical piano lessons. Her vocal range is awe-inspiring because she can begin at mezzo and then reach soprano. Aside from that, it is notable that she advocates for her fellow female artists. She has hosted the Lilith Fair music festival and raked in tens of millions of dollars to various women’s charities. We are glad she is using her platform well!
Sarah McLachlan
Gladys Knight
You might not know her music, but we are sure that you have at least heard of her name in the past. After all, Gladys Knight is not called the “Empress of Soul” for no reason. She performed with Gladys Knight & the Pipe band, which she started with friends and family. However, she deserves much of the credit for their Grammy Award-winning hits. Aside from that, she has also dipped her toes into the business. She opened a chain of restaurants known as Gladys Knight & Ron Winans’ Chicken & Waffles.
Gladys Knight
Cher
Many female musicians have neat monikers, but we think that Cher has the best one of them all. Come on. Not everyone gets the honor of being dubbed the “Goddess of Pop.” She earned it after leaving such a huge impact on the male-dominated music industry. The icon is not just a gifted singer, but she has shown us that she can act as well! She even has an Academy Award for Best Actress under her belt.
Cher
Patti Smith
We bet that you are a hipster if you know who Patti Smith is. She might not be the most mainstream person on the list, but her work has definitely influenced other artists. In the ‘70s, she made it big as a key figure in New York City’s punk movement. She did this with a debut record called “Horses.” In 2017, the “punk poet laureate” joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She still performs to this day!
Patti Smith
Chaka Khan
When someone mentions Chaka Khan, we think of funk and disco. Born Yvette Marie Stevens, she has a career that spans five decades. She entered the scene as the lead singer of a funk band called Rufus. Her solo career has been very successful as well. In 1984, she became known as the first R&B singer to collaborate with a rapper with “I Fell For You.” She has seen commercial and critical success, with more than 70 million record sales across the globe. Fun fact: she has won ten Grammys in the past as well!
Chaka Khan
Dusty Springfield
This British pop star did not find it hard to make it big across the pond. Dusty Springfield made waves in the blue-eyed soul scene with hit songs like “I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself” and “Son of Preacher Man.” Aside from that, she also made a splash by leading in the Swinging Sixties and sporting evening gowns for her performances. For five years, she fought a battle with cancer. Sadly, she breathed her last breath in 1999. She might no longer be around, but her musical legacy will never be forgotten.
Dusty Springfield
Ariana Grande
It depends on how old you are, but you might not know that Ariana Grande was not always a pop star. As a child, she starred in Broadway plays and snagged a TV show called Victorious. In 2014, she released an album with EDM and R&B songs. This marked the start of a successful music career. We bet that you recognize her songs “Love Me Harder,” “Bang Bang,” “Thank U, Next,” and more!
Ariana Grande
Diana Ross
Do you want proof of just how amazing Diana Ross is? Well, this might suffice. Did you know that she has been cited as an inspiration by Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Beyoncé? She got her start as a part of The Supremes, the vocal group behind songs such as “Where Did Our Love Go,” “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” and “Love Child.” She has launched a solo career of her own as well. On her discography, you are going to find bops like “I’m Coming Out” and “Upside Down.”
Diana Ross
Gloria Estefan
The truth is that so many things could have gone wrong at the start of her career. For example, Gloria Estefan suffered a spinal fracture after a truck crashed into her tour bus back in 1990. We are glad that it had been a rapid recovery for the Cuban-American singer. In only ten months, she resumed the tour. She is behind hit songs like “Anything for You” and “Conga.” Aside from this, she also made history as the first performer with a certified diamond album in Spain. She did this with her 1993 album, Mi Tierra.
Gloria Estefan
Kelly Clarkson
Things turned around for Kelly Clarkson when she became the winner of the first season of hit reality singing competition, American Idol. This gave her the chance to record her debut album, which was also a huge success. “A Moment Like This,” one of the tracks from the album, became the best-selling single in the United States in 2002. Mind you. This was not the end of her success just yet. Her songs “Since You’ve Been Gone” and “Because of You” also fetched her a Grammy award.
Kelly Clarkson
Britney Spears
Britney Spears also known as the “Princess of Pop” earned herself that title by bringing pop music back to life in the late 90s and early 2000s. Britney has it all she can sing, dance and writes music too- she was known for her jaw-dropping performances and stage presence. She truly took her concerts to the next level. Britney was an icon of those times, young girls across the globe dressed like her, danced like her, and bought her albums idolizing her.
Britney Spears
Toni Braxton
The truth is that Toni Braxton was a bit overshadowed by peers like Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson. Still, we can’t deny the fact that she has a huge influence on the R&B genre. Best known for songs like “You’re Makin’ Me High/Let It Flow” and “Un-Break My Heart,” she has won seven Grammys and sold more than 67 million records. Aside from her music, she has also seen success on the small screen. You might have seen her in Braxton Family Values and Dancing with the Stars.
Toni Braxton
Ann Wilson
Aside from founding Heart, Ann Wilson was also the lead singer of the group. Nancy, her younger sister, worked with her to produce 16 albums that sold more than 35 million copies. These records established her as a legend in the world of rock and metal music. It is not surprising to hear that she is now a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. We will let her own words speak for her: “Artists make art. Singers sing. Players play. Gypsies travel. Music lights fires everywhere. It’s like oxygen!” Beautiful.
Ann Wilson
Freda Payne
Can you believe that Freda Payne was not signed to Motown? This amazing singer is best known for her hit singles like “The Unhooked Generation” and “Band of Gold.” It feels like singing is in her blood since Scherrie, her younger sister, went on to join The Supremes. Anyway, Freda Payne has also dabbled in acting! You might have seen her in movies like Ella: First Lady of Song and Nutty Professor II: The Klumps in the past. And yes, she continues to perform even to this day.
Freda Payne
Kate Bush
Catherine Bush, better known as Kate Bush, is a talented English performer, songwriter, and singer. In 1978, she reached the top of the UK Singles Chart with her self-written debut single. She was only 19 at the time. “Wuthering Heights” saw a lot of success. It even made her the first female artist from the UK to reach the charts’ top spot. Her other songs include “Don’t Give Up” and Running Up That Hill.”
Kate Bush
Bonnie Tyler
This Welsh singer has a distinctively husky voice. Bonnie Tyler made it big with her debut album in 1977. It came with songs like “More Than a Lover” and “Lost in France.” In 1978, “It’s a Heartache” had the third spot of the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, it got the fourth spot. She went on to produce rock songs in the ‘80s. We bet that you also like to sing her hit song “Total Eclipse of the Heart” on the karaoke!
Bonnie Tyler
Sade
Did you know that the real name of Sade is Helen Folasade? Anyway, she is a British actress-singer who is one of the greatest female artists from the United Kingdom. As the lead singer of her self-named band, she has made her mark on contemporary music. In 1984, she released “Diamond Life,” her debut album. It was one of the greatest albums from that era. The year after that, she joined other singers at the Live Aid Charity Concert. In 2002, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her work.
Sade
Minnie Julia Riperton Rudolph
You might be familiar with Minnie Riperton as the “Queen of the Whistle Register.” She received this nickname thanks to her five-octave coloratura soprano vocal range. She released a song called “Loving You” in April 1975. This marked her rise to stardom. The single was actually in “Perfect Angel,” her 1974 album that has since been certified gold. It was truly tragic that she passed away at the tender age of 31.
Minnie Julia Riperton Rudolph
Grace Barnett Wing
Also called Grace Slick, this singer was a key figure in the psychedelic music scene in San Francisco back in the ‘60s. Now retired, the singer-songwriter spent four decades in the music industry. Over the years, she has performed alongside legends like Jefferson Starship, The Great Society, and Jefferson Airplane. She is talented at writing songs and penned “We Built This City,” “White Rabbit,” “Somebody to Love,” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” In the past, she was also called “The Chrome Nun” and “Gracie.”
Grace Barnett Wing
Kim Carnes
Her raspy voice has been compared to that of Rod Stewart in the past. In 1980, Kim Carnes made it big after Kenny Rogers commissioned her to co-write an album called “Gideon.” They had a duet called “Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer,” which made it number four on the Billboard Hot 100. The pair even earned a Grammy nomination for it! She later released an album called “Mistaken Identity,” which had a song called “Bette Davis Eyes.” It was the best-selling single in the United States that year!
Kim Carnes
Alanis Morissette
Rolling Stones once called Alanis Morissette the “Queen of Alt-Rock Angst.” Well, we can’t argue with that! She has sold more than 75 million records across the globe. The Canadian-American musician has also worked as a record producer in the past. She has incredible mezzo-soprano vocals. In 1995, we were introduced to her most popular rock album: “Jagged Little Pill.” It sold more than 33 million copies on its own. In 2017, it was turned into a rock musical that raked in 15 nominations at the Tony awards!
Alanis Morissette
Sophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor
This English singer-songwriter made waves in the ‘90s. At the time, she was the lead singer of an indie rock band called The audience. When the band broke up, she found success as a solo artist. She gained a following with her music, which had pop, disco, and electronic music influences. In 2001, she released her debut solo album. Called “Read My Lips,” it got the number two spot on the UK Albums Charts. It has since been certified double-platinum. In 2007, her second album rose to the seventh spot in the UK.
Sophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor
Kylie Ann Minogue
How could it be only to be known by your first name? Kyle is an Australian celebrity who has worked as an actress, record producer, TV judge, singer, and songwriter in the past. In Europe, she is also called the “Princess of Pop.” She is always reinventing music and fashion! Did you know that she is the highest-selling female artist in the history of Australia? Aside from that, she also has a lot of awards to her name.
Kylie Ann Minogue
Britney Spears
In the United States, people call Britney Spears the “Princess of Pop.” As a teen, she gave us some of the best pop songs of the ‘90s and ‘00s. She also has two best-selling albums called “Baby One More Time” and “Oops!… I Did It Again.” They are both certified diamond status, so you know that she is the real deal. In 2020, Rolling Stone called her debut track the best single of all time. Her second album also held a record for fifteen years because it sold more than a million copies in the first week. Whoa.
Britney Spears
Paula Abdul
This lovely lady has shown us how talented she is as a dancer, actress, TV personality, choreographer, singer, and songwriter. Paula Abdul made it big as the choreographer of Janet Jackson’s music videos at the music video era’s height. She signed a contract with Virgin Records and released “Forever Your Girl,” her debut album. It was one of the biggest albums in those days. It sold over seven million copies in the United States and broke a Billboard Hot 100 Chart record, which resulted in a tie with Diana Ross.
Paula Abdul
Shakira
The “Queen of Latin Music” made it to our list thanks to her music’s diversity. We are sure that you know Shakira! The Colombian singer-songwriter is a great actress, dancer, and philanthropist as well. In 2001, she made her English debut with a 2001 album called “Laundry Service.” It sold more than 13 million copies and came with hit songs such as “Underneath Your Clothes” and “Whenever, Wherever.”
Shakira
Fiona Apple
In the past, Fiona Apple has been nominated for the Grammys eleven times. The American musician has four decades in the music industry to her name. She has albums that reached the fifteenth spot on the US charts. “Tidal,” her debut album, came out in 1996. It had a single called “Criminal,” which won the Grammy for Best Female Vocal Rock Performance. “When the Pawn…”, her next album, went platinum.
Fiona Apple
Dido
You likely did not know that Dido was actually born Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O’Malley Armstrong. In 1999, the English singer earned global recognition for “No Angel.” Her debut album sold more than 21 million copies across the world. It went on to win many accolades and awards. In 2003, she released a new album called “Life for Rent.” It shot her to stardom with songs like “White Flag,” as well as a cover of “Life for Rent.” Thanks to the success of these albums, she made history in the UK charts.
Dido
Tracy Chapman
Up next, we have a multi-platinum musical artist on our list. Tracy Chapman made a name for herself as an American singer-songwriter with hit songs like “Fast Car,” “Crossroads,” and “Give Me One Reason.” She released a self-titled album called “Tracy Chapman” and received six Grammy nominations for it. She won three of these! The musician has since released six studio albums. The list includes a multi-platinum album called “New Beginning.” She actually bagged her fourth Grammy award for this one.
Tracy Chapman
Sheryl Crow
It would be a huge understatement to say that Sheryl Crow is a crossover hit. We are sure that you are familiar with her hit songs like “If It Makes You Happy” and “All I Wanna Do.” She might be best known as a country musician, but she has also dabbled in other mediums and genres. She had the chance to sing the theme song for the James Bond flick, Tomorrow Never Dies. By 2020, she has already sold more than 50 million albums and won nine Grammys. She is truly a music industry legend!
Sheryl Crow
Dionne Warwick
Are you surprised to find Dionne Warwick on our list? You shouldn’t be. After all, she clearly deserves a spot as the singer behind hit songs like “I Say a Little Prayer For You” and “Walk On By.” From 1962 to 1998, she had 56 singles that reached the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Besides her music career, she is also a talented philanthropist who has served as a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization. Damon Elliott, her second son, happens to be a record producer as well.
Dionne Warwick
Gwen Stefani
Some folks know Gwen Stefani from her days as the lead singer of a rock band called No Doubt. She has since made it big as a mainstream pop star with a very successful solo career. Over the years, she has released many hit songs like “Hollaback Girl.” The track made history as the first US download with a million sales. She remains relevant to this day. In the past few years, she even served as a host in The Voice. Apart from this, she is in a relationship with fellow musician Blake Shelton.
Gwen Stefani
Lauryn Hill
It always amazes us to see just how versatile Lauryn Hill is. She has pretty much-done everything you can in the entertainment industry. At first, she was a part of a hip-hop group called the Fugees with Wyclef Jean and Pras. She later launched her own solo career. “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” was met with critical acclaim! Are you wondering where she has been? In the last two decades, she has maintained a low-profile. The headlines reported that she pleaded guilty to a charge of tax evasion. Oops.
Lauryn Hill
Annie Lennox
If you want to talk about the ‘80s synthpop scene, you can’t possibly forget Annie Lennox. She made a name for herself as half of a duo called Eurythmics. The truth is that she has never been afraid to stand out. Many people remember how she wore a suit and dyed her cropped hair orange for the “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” music video. She has enjoyed a successful career as a solo artist and worked on the soundtracks of movies like Lord of the Rings: The King’s Return in the past.
Annie Lennox
Janet Jackson
As you probably already know, Janet Jackson came from music royalty. After all, she is the younger sister of the Jackson Five! We are sure that this put a lot of pressure on her, but she is a great artist in her own right. She made it big as an actress and recording artist. You might have seen the “All for You” singer on TV shows like Good Times and Diff’rent Strokes. Over the years, she has sold more than a hundred million records across the globe. Another hit song of hers is “Rhythm Nation.”
Janet Jackson
Mary J. Blige
In the past 30 years, few singers have eclipsed the success of Mary J. Blige. She has many hits like “Without You” and “Family Affair” under her belt. Billboard even named the former as the greatest R&B song ever! Like many of the people on the list, she has also given acting a shot. She has a prominent role in Mudbound, for example. Did you know that she was even nominated for an Oscar for her performance? Wow! She was recently in a Netflix series called The Umbrella Academy.
Mary J. Blige
Stevie Nicks
It is hard to deny that Stevie Nicks saw a lot of ups and downs as a musician. She is best known as the vocalist of Fleetwood Mac. As time went by, her role in the band only got more prominent. We are sure that the band would not have enjoyed as much success if it were not for her. Rolling Stone said that she was among the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. Music aside, she has also appeared in TV shows.
Stevie Nicks
Dolly Parton
Are you aware that Dolly Parton started as a songwriter? Before she made it big, she was initially working on songs for other artists. We are glad that she saved the best ones for herself! A truly talented lady, she is now one of the biggest musicians out there. Her career was at its peak during the ‘70s and ‘80s, although it started to slow down once the ‘90s rolled in. Despite this, her fame has never died out.
Dolly Parton
Judy Garland
You might know Judy Garland, but you might not know that she was a great singer. Most people simply know her for her portrayal of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. She gave a lovely performance in the classic movie, but her voice and singing abilities are also worth noting. Her range is the envy of other singers! She was also very versatile and had no problems performing blues, jazz, and soul. This is already amazing enough on its own, but can you believe that she learned how to do this on her own?
Judy Garland
Shania Twain
Mind you, Shania Twain is not just any singer. She also happens to be royalty! Her fans like to call her the “Queen of Country Pop.” It is not a secret that she is deeply passionate about country music. She once said, “Country music is still your grandpa’s music, but it’s also your daughter’s music. It’s getting bigger and better all the time, and I’m glad to be a part of it.” In 2017, she released a new album and went on tour not long after that. We are so glad that she remains active in the industry.
Shania Twain
Janis Joplin
It is undeniable that Janis Joplin is one of the greatest female rock stars back in the day. She kicked off her career by performing in front of live audiences and playing at festivals. Later on, she released two albums and performed at the legendary Woodstock music festival. It is not surprising to hear so many musical artists call her a source of inspiration. Stevie Nicks once shared, “Janis put herself out there completely, and her voice was not only strong and soulful; it was painfully and beautifully real.”
Janis Joplin
Nina Simone
The truth is that Nina Simone did not enter the music industry because she wanted to be in the limelight. The truth was that she did it out of necessity. Her family was in dire need of money, so she started to play the piano in nightclubs. After some time, she was offered a deal. The rest is history! Now a household name, she recorded more than 30 live and studio albums. The incredible singer was one of a kind because no one else could “belt barroom blues, croon cabaret, and explore jazz” as she could.
Nina Simone
Lady Gaga
Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, we can see why Lady Gaga went for an alias instead. That is definitely a mouthful! We are sure that you are at least familiar with the musician. Aside from her singing voice, she has also blown us away with her wardrobe choices. Some of her more daring outfits have made her the talk of the town. If you ask us, it is quite amazing to know that she got her start by working at clubs in New York. She has definitely come a long way since those days!
Lady Gaga
Etta James
It is not an exaggeration to call Etta James iconic. The talented musician set the standard for blues, jazz, and soul. We always love listening to her voice as she sang “Tell Mama,” “I’d Rather Go Blind,” “At Last,” “Something’s Got a Hold on Me,” and “The Wallflower.” This is barely scratching the surface of it! Aside from that, she has received credit for bridging the gap between rock and R&B. In fact, she has left such a huge impact on the former that she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Etta James
Amy Winehouse
“If you don’t throw yourself into something, you’ll never know what you could have had.” How wise is that? These words came from Amy Winehouse, who was one of the most amazing musicians ever to live. As a matter of fact, Bob Dylan once called her “the last real individualist around.” When she was still alive, she poured her heart into her work. She made history as the first British woman to bag five Grammys. We bet that you know her songs like “Love is a Losing Game,” “Back to Black,” and “Rehab.”
Amy Winehouse
Patsy Cline
Here is yet another successful crossover artist. Patsy Cline launched her music career as a country star. After some time, she moved to pop and gained even more fans than she already had. She is now known as one of the best musicians of the 20th century. Her fans are blown away by her versatility and “emotional expression and delivery of lyrics.” She remains a major inspiration to artists to this day.
Patsy Cline
Alicia Keys
The “Queen of R&B” made it to the list, but we doubt that anyone was surprised. Did you know that she did not actually start in R&B or pop? She was actually a classically trained pianist. At the age of 12, she started to write her own music. Three years later, she bagsed a deal with a major record label and released a debut album called “Songs in A Minor.” It got her a Grammy and 16 million sales.
Alicia Keys
Donna Summer
The real name of Donna Summer is LaDonna Adrian Gains. She made it big in the days of the disco! She was not happy to sit back and watch other people outside her. Did you know that she was the first artist with back-to-back albums that reached the top spot of the Billboard 200 chart in the US? These days, you can even hear her hit songs played at parties. We are talking about “Hot Stuff,” “I Feel Love,” and more!
Donna Summer
Joni Mitchell
It has always been impressive to see how well Joni Mitchell can blend different sounds. In the past, she has experimented with rock, pop, jazz, and folk. Her music is usually called poetic, which is a great way to applaud her lyrics. Her songs are full of emotions and commentary about society and love. “I would have to say of all the women I’ve heard. She had the most profound effect on me from a lyrical point of view,” Madonna once said about her. It must have been awesome to hear that from Madonna!
Joni Mitchell
Billie Holiday
Before she made it big, Billie Holiday sang in music clubs in Harlem. This was how a record producer by the name of John Hammond discovered her. Thanks to his help, she got to record the first songs of her career. A song called “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” helped her reach success. To this day, she is the face of vocal jazz. While she did not have formal training, her great voice made up for it.
Billie Holiday
Madonna
Honestly, what can we even say about Madonna that you don’t already know? The biggest pop star of the ‘80s released hit songs such as “Like a Virgin” and “Material Girl.” She has reinvented herself many times in the past. She has tried various sounds and styles, and it has always been fascinating to see what she is up to. These days, she is known for both her image and voice. Let us not forget that she is also an actress! You might have seen her in Evita and A League of Their Own.
Madonna
Julie Andrews
We can confidently call Julie Andrews one of the most incredible women in Hollywood. She is a great actress, but she is a wonderful singer as well. In the past, she starred in Broadway shows like My Fair Lady and Camelot. Did you know that she is called “Britain’s Youngest Prima Donna”? Apart from this, the Academy Award winner is a published author as well! The Sound of Music actress has a voice fit for opera, but she prefers to sing in a “bright and sunny” way.
Julie Andrews
Tina Turner
Now known as the “Queen of Rock and Roll,” Tina Turner started as a band called Ike & Tina Turner Revue. In the past, she has brought home 12 Grammy Awards. She is also the recipient of a Life Achievement Award. Many people love her powerful voice and energetic style. Which song of hers would you call your favorite? To be honest, we find it hard to choose between “Private Dancer,” “Nutbush City Limits,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” and “Let’s Stay Together.”
Tina Turner
Karen Carpenter
Carpenter siblings Karen and Richard were raised in New Haven, Connecticut. As a musician, she got a lot of praise for her drumming skills and three-octave contralto vocal range. It is hard to forget her unique voice and amazing musical skills! While she mostly released music as a musical member, she worked on her own music. Sadly, they were only released in 1996. Paul McCartney of the Beatles once said that she had “the best female voice in the world: melodic, tuneful and distinctive.”
Karen Carpenter
Christina Aguilera
As a teenager, Christina Aguilar made it big when “Genie in a Bottle” came out. Her single went on to be an international hit! Even though she has since released many pop albums, she also dipped her toes in other genres like blues and jazz. In the past, she has been compared to the likes of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carrey. However, she has said that her biggest musical influence was actually none other than Etta James. She called the gifted songstress her “all-time favorite singer.” She certainly has good taste!
Christina Aguilera
Barbra Streisand
Born and raised in New York, Barbra Streisand had a soprano singer for a mother. We are sure that this influenced her career choice! She developed a deep interest in music and worked on a career in the industry. The star of Funny Girl has since released 36 studio albums. She has raked in ten Grammy Awards and even received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the past. While she mostly dabbles in pop music, the truth is that she has a powerful voice that is considered semi-operatic.
Barbra Streisand
Ella Fitzgerald
If anyone deserved to be called the “Queen of Jazz Performance,” it would be none other than Ella Fitzgerald! She is probably best known for her collaborations with the likes of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. She has stood out and received 14 Grammys for songs like “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” “It Doesn’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” and “Cheek to Cheek.” She was truly a talented lady. Isn’t it neat that she received both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts?
Ella Fitzgerald
Adele
At first, Adele found it hard to break into the music industry. In the beginning, she was simply playing music in different parks in London! She was once turned away by a club owner, but we bet that they regret that decision now. In 2008, the singer released a studio album called “19.” Three years after that, she released a new album called “21.” This cemented her status as one of the most talented people in the scene! It earned her plenty of praise, a huge following, and six Grammy Awards.
Adele
Beyoncé
There is no doubt that Queen B is one of the most popular and beloved R&B artists in history. Time and again, Beyoncé has shown us that this is the case. We are sure that a lot of her fans would do anything for her. She actually got her start as a member of Destiny’s Child. In 2006, she launched her successful solo career. Did you know that she has the most Grammys ever? She has 26 of them to her name.
Beyoncé
Celine Dion
We wonder if Celine Dion had any clue that she would be this famous and successful when she was a little girl. Born into a huge family, she has truly come far in life. She was born and raised in Quebec and has released music in both English and French. In 1988, she made waves by winning the Eurovision song contest as the representative for Switzerland. Even though she got her start in French and English, she has since recorded songs in Spanish, Latin, Japanese, German, Chinese, and Italian.
Celine Dion
Aretha Franklin
How on earth can we call this list complete without mentioning Aretha Franklin? The “Queen of Soul” got her start as a gospel singer in a church choir. This makes us think that she had no idea what the future had in store for her! At any rate, she landed a contract with Columbia Records when she was only 18 years old. She worked on 38 studio albums and 131 singles over the course of her career. In 1987, she made history as the first woman to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
Aretha Franklin
Mariah Carey
Over the years, Mariah Carey has achieved a lot of things. For example, she has won five Grammy Awards and sold more than 200 million records. These things were made possible by her amazing singing voice. Did you know that she can hit five octaves? Whoa! This amazing ability helped her reach the heights that she did. A lot of people consider her one of the pioneers of the contemporary pop scene. Aside from that, you will often hear other musicians refer to her as an inspiration!
Mariah Carey
Whitney Houston
In our eyes, no one is more deserving of the top spot than Whitney Houston. With her amazing singing skills, she has received the moniker of “The Voice.” This pretty much tells you everything you need to know! She is indeed a fantastic singer, but this does not even begin to capture the truth. Did you know that her name is in the Guinness Book of World Records? After all, she is the most awarded female artist in history! Thus far, she has 415 awards to her name.
Whitney Houston